PLENTY ON SHOW

11 July 2014

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson is planning to give virtually all of his squad some game-time during this Saturday's opening friendly of the summer at Guiseley.

Less than 24 hours before they begin their week-long stay in Ireland, Parkinson's men kick off their schedule of pre-season friendlies on Saturday afternoon (kick off 3:00pm) at Guiseley's Nethermoor ground.

Only Aaron Mclean, Matt Taylor and possibly Oliver McBurnie are expected to miss out on the game as Parkinson looks to give the vast majority of his players - including his summer signings - a half each against the local Skrill North side.

With a selection of trialists, plus the likes of out-of-contract duo Raffaele De Vita and Jon McLaughlin, also likely to be on show during the friendly as well, there should be plenty for the City supporters at the ground to cast their eyes upon.

Parkinson said: "The lads will play 45 minutes each - we will be going with two sets of eleven for the game.

"In those two elevens, there will probably be some of our younger players and a number of trialists.

"The new lads have settled in well, while we've had some trialists in training with us as well over these first couple of weeks.

"Some of the trialists have looked good so far, so they have given us food for thought.

"Every club has trialists in over this period of the season - and we are no different.

"We will look to utilise some them over the next two or three games at least.

"We've given the players a hard couple of weeks - the lads have trained pretty much morning and afternoon every day.

"The 45 minutes the lads will each get in the Guiseley game is an extension of their training schedule really.

"When we get to Ireland next week, we'll look to step it up a notch and give the players 60 minutes and 30 minutes across the two games.

"That should put us in good shape and allow us to give the lads a bit longer either in the Farsley game or the Blackburn Rovers game the Saturday after."

While City's squad at Guiseley should be swelled by the presence of some trialists and members of the club's youth set-up, Parkinson knows further recruits to his ranks are needed still ahead of next month's big kick off.

Parkinson added: "We are still trying to piece the squad together - we know it is not where we want it yet.

"At this stage of the season, however, we are in a relatively good position in terms of the numbers we've got and the quality we've got.

"There are certain areas in the side we need to address. Myself and the chairmen are speaking every day but, as I've said many times, you have to be patient.

"The squad might not be finalised until right up to the eve of the season, especially when we are looking to add in one or two loans.

"Most clubs we talk to about loan players, they want their players to train with them first for the start of pre-season.

"It means we have to wait and gamble a bit but it is the route we are going do and we hope it will help us to bring the players we want to the football club."